The Extraordinary Elizabeth Strout "Portraits of America" Moderated by the Pompous Antonio Mondo

I'm a huge fan of Elizabeth Strout's novels.  Her brilliant novel "Olive Kitteridge was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and turned into a HBO series starring Bill Murray & Frances McDormand.  Her newest novel "Anything is Possible" was published this summer.  Is it possible that this acclaimed author's talk regarding her writings and "Portraits of America" could be waylaid in anyway?  Sadly, the answer is yes due to  the moderator's missives of questioning & obtuse commentaries.  Monda is the dir. of the Rome Film Festival and his presence should be restricted to film discussions.  But, when you have an exceptional writer & articulate guest, it's best to let them lead the conversation not highjack it.  I found him impertinent referring to her as Liz but this was the least of his crimes.  Ms. Strout came on stage looking striking with her hair up in a loose bun, large frame glasses and black blazer & white blouse.  She began by reading from her novel "Anything is Possible" establishing the unflappability of the young heroine Anna and her family's interesting dynamics.  She confessed to having her own mother issues.  The other book she read from was "My Name is Lucy Barton."  Mondo asked Strout how she would pitch this novel to a publisher today.  I sensed Strout was rankled by this question,"Thankfully, I don't have to pitch my stories.  But it's about a woman becoming herself and rising upwards in life." She shared a family photo that showed her then 2 year old daughter with her own grandmother.  Ms Strout paid tribute to Edna St. Vincent Millay (EVSM) by showing a beautiful photo of her as young girl and told us it was her work which first drew her as a  to poetry & literature.  Her initial aim was to be a poet and she mused about reciting aloud from memory many of EVSM's poems.   Mondo then proceeded to turn the discussion towards film and art asking inane & off topic questions:  her favorite film, least favorite film, favorite movie scene and favorite American artist.  The answers:  "The Sound of Music" because of Christopher Plummer, "The Wizard of Oz" because "Judy Garland creeps me out" the shower scene in "Psycho" and Edward Hopper.  "An evening covering Strout's illustrious career, from her Pulitzer Prize winning book to her latest work" was not the focus of "the intimate conversation."  I doubt Mondo has read any of Strout's works and he didn't expound on her "...renowned work which emulates the rich tapestry of America and underscores the anxieties that impact the greater national mood" as stated in the program.  He botched what should have been a literary & relevant topical discussion into a weak facsimile of James Lipton's "Inside the Actor's Studio."  I will continue to read works by Elizabeth Strout but will stoutly avoid any future talks involving Mondo.